Grid operators could double as magicians these days. The fact of the matter is that we are increasing our energy portfolios, relying on both traditional and renewable energies to support our needs. The problem is that our grid structure is built for the reliability that traditional energy sources provide. Wind and solar have less energy density and are not as predictable, which leaves grid operators spinning many more plates than they previously had to, to keep the lights on.
These challenges have real consequences, like the time prices in Texas surged 20 times higher than normal after the ordinarily strong West Texas winds didn’t blow on one day, or last year’s blackout in New York City.
“Unfortunately, this wasn’t New York’s first blackout in recent history. And sadly, it’s not hard to predict based on these political decisions that it won’t be its last. These events and the travails that grid operators face are an important early warning for us as we contemplate our energy future and manage the introduction of new sources into our power mix.”
CEA President David Holt lays out the facts in his analysis at NewsMax
